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Today, history walks through the doors of Audenried High School. Inside, the 200 students are starting their high school careers as the first class since 2005.
In the time leading up to its closing and eventual demolition, the building at 3301 Tasker St. and the surrounding neighborhood saw an increase in violence among Audenried pupils, as well as with students from other schools.
Last spring, Terry Pearsall-Hargett was hired as the new principal. Since then, she’s been working hard to get the community — specifically parents — involved in erasing negative memories.
Last Wednesday’s freshman orientation was no different. Pearsall-Hargett was clearly excited for the students and the opportunities awaiting them, but firm in rules, regulations and expectations.
"I’ve worked hard all summer to make sure you get what you need, not just what you get," she said addressing a packed cafeteria of students and parents. "But we will have expectations for you. It’s part of life. My boss … has expectations for me. That’s just how it is in life."
The principal, 48, took time to talk about course schedules and how the day will time out. Students are expected to be in their first class by 8:30 a.m. — a later start than other high schools — and will have two minutes to change classes without visits to their lockers — only to be made at the beginning and end of the school day to help keep them organized and make the day run smoother. On the first day, they’ll have their photograph taken for their school ID.
"Treat them like your heart," Pearsall-Hargett said of the IDs. "You’ll use them to get into the building, into the cafeteria. They’re your attendance and accountability. Your parents will get a phone call if you’re not accounted for."
Reactions from the rising freshmen varied. Most groaned when the locker policy was announced. Same with the later dismissal — 3:34 p.m., a time intended to keep Audenried students away from the three o’clock rush that was sometimes an instigator of violence.
Once they were shown the classrooms in the freshmen building, excitement picked up.
Shakeema Bennett ran up the hallway, searching for the spots where she’d be taking her eight classes.
"Here’s 205!" she shouted.
The 14-year-old resident of 31st and Tasker streets said she was, "feeling excited."
"It’s a new beginning for everybody. I’ve been ready for high school for a long time," she said.
Another highlight of orientation was the explanation of the four academies. Each will house career-driven programming for sophomores, juniors and seniors — of which students will have to pick one — such as auto body repair, culinary arts, electrical and health studies. A body shop and a restaurant-size kitchen and caf� will be onsite so students may obtain hands-on education. They will attend classes in a state-of-the-art facility with interactive whiteboards and a mini computer lab with four desktop computers in each classroom. Teachers, too, will be equipped with laptops and there will be three additional large computer labs.
Joseph McClennan said he was impressed with the activities and programs offered at the school his stepson, Rashied Flowers, 15, will be attending.
"There’s a lot of things here we didn’t have when I was in school," the resident of 16th and Christian streets said, adding his son already has a pretty good idea of which of the four academies he’ll choose.
"He likes eating," McClennan said. "He really likes the culinary program."
McClennan said he wasn’t familiar with Audenried’s violent past, but had high hopes for its future.
"I really believe it’s going to be very good," he said.
Pearsall-Hargett, along with the 19 teachers hired so far, believe that, too. They emphasized to the freshmen how important it is for them to take ownership, which includes having a say on many elements like a mascot and a new name. For now, it is called the New Audenried High School, the colors are blue and gold and their uniforms consist of light blue collared shirts and dark blue pants.
"’Audenried’ still conjures up negative thoughts in people’s minds. I should not be the one [renaming it]. It will be done through the students. The name change will reflect the community. It has to start immediately — it will be a research project for the ninth-graders," Pearsall-Hargett told the Review in May. "It helps to build a community so that they feel like a part of the building."
She chose to open with only the freshmen class and continue with one incoming class the following three years, at which point there will be students in all four grades. As class size grows, so will the number of teachers, eventually topping out at about 100. By enrolling 200 to 250 students a year, it will make the transition easier on all parts and take full advantage of the facility, which is set to wrap construction in winter ’09.
The freshmen will be coming from four feeder schools — Alcorn, 3200 Dickinson St., Arthur Chester, 2000 Catharine St., and Vare, 2100 24th St. Earlier this year, Pearsall-Hargett met with parents of eighth-graders of the middle schools to get input and ideas for what they’d like to see and discuss the past and future of Audenried.
Bringing three student bodies together could present a challenge of uniting into one class — but that’s where the decision making in regards to elements of the school and a required freshman seminar taught by Pearsall-Hargett come in.
"One of the concerns is the turf issue," she said. "Team building, which is part of the ninth-grade seminar, starts today."
Terence Everett, a 15-year-old resident of the 2100 block of Pemberton Street, said he was a bit anxious about the new faces making up the class of ’12.
"I don’t know a lot of people," he said. "But I’m not overwhelmed — I want to be here."
For the next nine months — and four years for that matter — keeping that commitment in everyone is the primary concern of Pearsall-Hargett, assistant principal Cassius White and the rest of the faculty and staff.
"There’s work to be done," the principal said to the students at orientation. "’Can’t’ will not be in your vocabulary. ‘Can do, will do.’"
